WHY: A recently completed
CSUN study identifies specific public infrastructure and
environmental factors that contribute to the human trafficking
epidemic that exists along the Sepulveda Boulevard and Lankershim
Boulevard corridors. In the study findings, which will be released
Thursday morning, Dr. Henrik Minassians and Dr. David Lopez
identified specific places where overgrown trees block lighting,
areas where street lighting is non-existent, and other places where
small community improvements would make the area less inviting to
illegal activities.

This study, a project of the Operations-Valley Bureau Human
Trafficking Task Force, is one element of a much larger coordinated
effort led by Councilwoman Nury Martinez and LAPD Deputy Chief Bob
Green to systematically target and reduce human trafficking in the
San Fernando Valley. The task force, launched in late 2015, employs
elements of education, enforcement and environmental changes. While
the study identifies the built environmental changes needed,
enforcement and engagement elements have been in full effect since
the task force was launched. Updates to those elements of the task
force's work will also be shared at Thursday's press
conference.

VISUALS: Tree trimming by
city crews to take place in one identified trouble spot at same
location, immediately following the conclusion of the press
conference.

Contact: If you have any
questions feel free to call Media Relations Division at
213-486-5910.